A small metalic cup of 1 to 2 ounces size to mix ghee and coconut flakes.

Another metalic or glass cup of 1 to 2 ounces for water.

Fire Lighter

Step 1: This can be done in a pooja room or living room (but beware of smoke) or can be also performed outside or in a corner of the garage.

Time taken: Pre-Preparation - 1 minute

Homa- 3 to 4 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes.

Pre-Preparation:

Take one spoon of ghee in the small cup (#VIII) and warm it directly on the stove for 5 to 10 seconds. By the time it melts and the cup becomes bearable to hold, get the altar ready.

Keep the bowl (#1) on the brick or stone platform (# VII) and place in it a piece of camphor or used oil soaked lamp wicks.This now becomes the altar to perform the Homa /Havan/ Yagna.

Get ready with a small amount of water in the cup (# IX) and place it near the altar.

Now you add half or one teaspoon of coconut flakes to the melted ghee and mix with the same spoon in the small cup (#VIII).

Now you are ready for the Homa.

Ganesha or Ganapathy Homa

Step 1: Place the ghee bowl in front of the altar and take the cup of water. Pray that the water is Holy (Awareness of the Self) which purifes (gives Awareness of Self) all the contents of the Pooja. Then sprinkle a few drop of water on yourself and the altar and the other pooja items (In advanced level you can chant a mantra for this act).

Step 2: Pray Lord Ganesha and your Guru and light up the camphor or used wicks in the bowl using a lighter.

Step 3: When the fire is on, invite Ganesha to the fire through hand gestures and devotion in your mind. Then chant the Ganapathy mantra

Step 4: Do the chanting minimum 11 times. Keep a small amount of ghee with coconut flakes in the spoon while chanting and when you chant "Swaha", offer to fire. The mediator (agent) of the offering to fire is done by Agni's wife Swaha (Wife means the Energy). She relays to the destined Lord.

Step 5: Try to keep the flame till you offer 11 times. In between if you need add to fire small amounts of extra camphor or dried twigs and leaves, so that the fire doesn’t go down until all the portions of the mixture are added.

Step 6:. When all the ingredients are added 11 times, then with folded hands, pray expressing your desire if you have to Ganesha.

Step 7: Then touch the altar as if you are touching the holy feet of Lord Ganesha.

Step 8: Then through hand gestures and devoted mind, allow Lord Ganesha to leave the fire.

Step 9: As prasad you can touch (dont hurt by heat) the black ash with the ring finger and apply in your fore head.

Step 10: You may allow the fire to extinguish on its own. Within few minutes usually it goes off. Dont leave fire unattended.

Advanced Ganesha Homa / Yagnya

Advanced Ganesha Yganya / Homam (10-12 min)

Things needed

Bigger Bowl (2 to 5 inches) - metal or mud (to bear heat).

Camphor and or used oil lamp wicks

A metal spoon

Dry Coconut pieces or even coconut flakes

Ghee

Try twigs to make fire (optional)

Altar made of bricks and flat stone (See picture).

A small metalic bowl of 4 to 5 ounces size to mix ghee and the other content. You can do mixes step by step (recommended) or mix all that in a clean container and take a handful each day. This will save a lot of time in the morning.

Another metalic or glass cup of 1 to 2 ounces for water.

Fire Lighter

Wooden plank or a seat to sit in front of altar.

This Homa can be done outside or in a corner of a garage.

Time taken: Pre-Preparation - 1 minute

Homa- 7 to 9 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes.

Step 1: This can be done outside or in a corner of a garage.

Step 1: Place the ghee bowl in front of the altar and take the cup of water. Chant this mantra

Meaning: "In this water, I invoke the presence of divine waters from the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri. may their purifying/ tranforming nature bring transformation in me.

Pray that the water is Holy (Awareness of the Self) which purifes (gives Awareness of Self) all the contents of the Pooja. Then sprinkle a few drop of water on yourself and the altar and the other pooja items.

Step 2: Stand in front of the altar and pray Lord Ganesha and your Guru and light up the camphor or used wicks in the bowl using a lighter.

Step 3: When the fire is on, invite Ganesha to the fire through hand gestures and devotion in your mind.

Step 4: Feel Ganesha has taken a Seat in the alter. Now welcome him through the Ganesha Yoga. Do 5 times or 11 times or 18 or 23 etc.

Be aware of the breathing you do and feel that is the Pranayama associated with it. This is the way you are Energizing the Lord (Bringing Awareness) at the moment.

Step 4: Do the chanting minimum 11 times. Keep a small amount of ghee with coconut flakes in the spoon while chanting and when you chant "Swaha", offer to fire. The mediator (agent) of the offering to fire is done by Agni's wife Swaha (Wife means the Energy). She relays to the destined Lord.

Step 5: Try to keep the flame till you offer 11 times. In between if you need add to fire small amounts of extra camphor or dried twigs and leaves, so that the fire doesn’t go down until all the portions of the mixture are added.